158: Fourth Generation: Overlord (Fifty-Four)

Xu Yuan's gaze, like a frozen blade, slowly swept across the massive "Great Shang World Map" hanging on the side hall wall.

His sight crossed the already stabilized Southeast, swept past the seemingly calm Royal Capital territory, and finally fixed firmly on the north of the Dynasty—that territory marked with vast grasslands, Gobi deserts, and the words "Heavenly Wolf Dynasty."

"The target shall be the north."

Xu Yuan's voice held no emotion, yet carried the finality of a settled decision.

Wang Qingshan, Wang Zhengqing, and Wang Xuanmo felt a jolt in their hearts. Following Xu Yuan's gaze, they all revealed expressions of "as expected."

The Heavenly Wolf Dynasty was indeed the most suitable target, and also the one with the deepest grievances!

Wang Qingshan stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please see clearly! The Heavenly Wolf Dynasty borders our Great Shang. Not only does its territory possess the resource-rich 'Spirit-Melting Profound Iron Mine,' but deep within its grasslands, it is rumored that there are 'Star Sand' associated deposits! Its Royal Court Forbidden Ground might even hide 'Nether Cold Iron,' such supreme Yin spiritual materials! These resources are exactly what we need!"

Wang Zhengqing interjected, his tone cold, "Furthermore, the old grievances run deep! Previously, their Blood Wolf Guard commander, Wusut, brazenly infiltrated our borders to assist the traitorous Shen Family, only to be slain by Your Majesty's own hand!"

"Their Ruler was enraged. Although they did not launch a full-scale invasion, border friction has been constant. Small bands of cavalry have never stopped harassing us, kidnapping our border citizens and plundering our supplies!"

"This hatred is irreconcilable!"

Wang Xuanmo also nodded, "And there is the humiliation at Iron Wall Pass! Their massive army is stationed outside the pass, knocking on our gates day and night. Their wolfish ambitions are clear for all to see!"

"Our Great Shang must fight them!"

"Correct." Xu Yuan nodded slightly. "Old grievances remain, and new ones are easily formed. The Heavenly Wolf Dynasty has coveted the wealth of our Great Shang for more than a day. Now that Great Shang wishes to rise, the scourge of the northern border must be eradicated!"

"Rather than waiting for the Tianlang to launch a full-scale southward invasion one day, it is better to take the initiative while they are mourning their new commander and their morale has not yet recovered. This way, we can seize resources and eliminate future trouble once and for all!"

Xu Yuan looked up at Wang Qingshan, "Let the Privy Council immediately use this as a pretext to draft a crusade manifesto! Announce it to the world and officially declare war on the Heavenly Wolf Dynasty!"

"Your subject acknowledges the decree!" Wang Qingshan's voice was resonant. "The Tianlang have repeatedly violated our border passes, slaughtered our border citizens, and their commander Wusut infiltrated to assassinate—their wolfish ambitions are condemned by both men and gods! Now that Your Majesty carries the Heavenly Mandate of Great Shang to comfort the people and punish the guilty, we shall sweep their courts clean to demonstrate our Heavenly Might!"

This excuse was upright and legitimate, sufficient to stand on the moral high ground.

"Third Elder." "This old subject is here!" Wang Zhengqing felt a jolt in his heart and quickly responded.

"Coordinate the grain and provisions, allocate armaments, and pacify the rear. This battle concerns our National Fortune; the logistics must not fail."

"This old subject will do everything in his power!"

"Fifth Elder, the workshops must operate at full capacity. Prioritize the allocation of the already completed 'Profound Iron War Puppets' to the northern expedition vanguard! Since our path of Puppet creation has already yielded results, there is no reason not to use them."

"Your subject acknowledges the decree!" Wang Xuanmo bowed solemnly, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

He had spent his entire life immersed in Artifact Refining and Formations. To him, Mo Qianji's Legacy was like opening the door to a new world. Now, witnessing the lethal Sharp Weapon he helped develop about to step onto the battlefield to prove its value, how could he not be stirred?

In his mind, Wang Xuanmo was already rapidly calculating how to allocate manpower and optimize the final spiritual pattern infusion process, ensuring this batch of first-generation War Puppets would not fail on the cruel battlefield and would amaze everyone.

Xu Yuan nodded slightly. His gaze swept over the three high officials again, his tone heavy and resolute, carrying the final decision: "This battle concerns our National Fortune and cannot fail. I shall personally lead the expedition."

Upon hearing this, the three felt surprised, but upon closer thought, it made perfect sense.

Although Your Majesty is currently only at the Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, his strength is unfathomable, comparable to a powerhouse at the Foundation Establishment Perfection. Furthermore, he carries the immense National Fortune; his presence on the front lines would provide an immeasurable boost to morale.

"Your Majesty is wise!" the three responded in unison, raising no further objections.

"Father, you will remain in the Royal Capital to oversee the overall situation and manage state affairs. Ensure that the implementation of the new policies is not affected by the war. At the same time, monitor the territory closely and guard against petty villains taking the opportunity to cause trouble."

Xu Yuan entrusted the most stable rear area to his most trusted father. Although the new policies had already shown initial success, they had only been implemented for three years. It was hard to guarantee that some death-defying Noble Families wouldn't take the opportunity to cause trouble while he was away, so a trusted Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator was naturally needed to hold the fort.

"Third Elder, you will accompany me north to coordinate the supplies and provisions of the central army and manage all parties."

"Fifth Elder, leave the follow-up matters of the workshops to your deputy. You will take the core craftsmen and all 'Profound Iron War Puppets' to accompany the army, responsible for the battlefield maintenance and command of the War Puppets."

The division of labor was clear, and everyone performed their duties. Under the drive of Xu Yuan's will, the war machine of Great Shang began to erupt with astonishing efficiency.

Soon, the crusade manifesto spread throughout Great Shang at the fastest speed and, through various channels, flew like it had grown wings toward the Northern Tianlang Royal Court.

"The Tianlang are lawless, repeatedly violating our borders, slaughtering our citizens, and plundering our resources..." The crusade manifesto, spanning hundreds of words, was sharp in its rhetoric and every word was like a blade, exposing the crimes of the Tianlang to the public.

Within Great Shang, the masses were impassioned. Especially the border citizens of the north, who had suffered deeply from the harassment of the Tianlang; upon hearing that His Majesty was about to personally lead the expedition, they were all overjoyed and eagerly supported it.

Grain and supplies from all over were continuously gathering toward the northern border.

Outside the Royal Capital, on a massive plaza, Xu Yuan stood at the head of a towering Wind-Riding spirit boat, clad in profound armor with his cloak fluttering in the wind.

Below were the elite Imperial Guards, the Shadow Guards, and those twelve "Profound Iron War Puppets" that shimmered with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight, faintly exuding the pressure of the Foundation Establishment Stage!

Banners blocked the sun, swords and spears were like a forest, and the soaring Killing Intent mixed with the immense National Fortune, shooting straight into the clouds!

Xu Yuan's gaze was like lightning, sweeping over the army Formation below, where swords and spears stood like a forest and Killing Intent soared to the heavens. His profound armor refracted a cold, hard luster in the sunlight.

He did not need any amplification Formation; his voice was like rolling thunder, clearly reaching the ears of every soldier, carrying unquestionable majesty and immense power:

"The beacon fires of the north have been a scourge for a hundred years! Today, I will personally lead you all to march north and punish the guilty!"

"This battle is not for personal grievances, but for the eternal peace of Great Shang, for the tranquility of billions of subjects!"

"All my Great Shang sons should strive to be the first, and use the swords in your hands to tell those grassland wolf tribes—"

"Those who offend Great Shang, though they be far, shall be punished!"

"All my Great Shang sons—" "Follow me, march!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Great Shang will be victorious!" "Long live! Victory!"

The mountain-shaking, sea-roaring shouts rocked the heavens and earth, and the army's morale reached its peak!

"Depart!" Following Xu Yuan's order, the fleet of massive Wind-Riding spirit boats let out a low rumble and slowly rose into the sky, blotting out the sun.

On the ground, the torrent of iron armor began to roll toward the north.

Great Shang's sword of war had been unsheathed, carrying a monstrous momentum as it struck fiercely toward the Northern Wolf Court.